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Should you let the pumpkin lay on the ground where it sprouts, or is it advisable to put some type of medium between the fruit and soil to prevent rot? I saw someone posted earlier about using a pallet, but people didn't think it was a good idea.

7/19/2023 8:47:30 PM

New Castle, Indiana

There's different things people do. Keeping the pumpkin off the dirt keeps the bugs or critters from attacking from below. Right now I'm using 3/4 plywood and a layer of play sand on the top for the pumpkin to sit on. The sand allows the pumpkin to move and grow on the board more easily. I know some people use mill fabric instead of the wood, but I didn't have fabric available. Yes, the wood will eventually rot but not before the season is over.

7/19/2023 10:31:55 PM

Are you using treated plywood for that base & how deep is the sand you put on top of the wooden base?

7/20/2023 6:37:42 AM

Grittyville, WA

Sand is inert...
There is a coarse dolomite product similar to sand which I'd like to try under a pumpkin sometime in the future... I can't imagine the calcium or high ph would hurt, but alas I haven't tried it.
I have grown them on dirt and never had an issue but my dirt drains well and the pest damage has been minimal, I think all the pests are busy eating the roots, lol.

7/27/2023 4:25:25 AM

Grittyville, WA

Does someone have Dave Stelts' method he used last year? I read about it, but have since forgotten.

7/27/2023 4:27:21 AM

Kutztown, PA

I bought a piece of pressure treated plywood which will last a while ($60) for a 4'x 8' and put play sand. You really want to lift the pumpkin up and inspect the bottom before you waste the time and effort to get it to a weigh off. You need to see the entire bottom. So there's not advantage of growing it on the pallet with respect to lifting it. Also, the mice love to live under pallets with a pumpkin bottom roof over their head.

7/28/2023 9:10:38 AM

Syracuse, NY

With that thought in mind, one needs to think of something to fill in the pallet with if worried about mice living in it. Or, if the top has plywood and a 940.7 on it, lol (see what I did there, with the weight of...) the sides could be covered over with additional 2 by 4s or something, I dunno what. It'd be pretty slick, though to have forks on the tractor and just bbbbllllluuuuiiiipppp!!!, up and away she goes!
Yeah, though, I'm all about seeing that pumpkin bottom (blush)
and that there is no probbum. eg

7/28/2023 3:08:51 PM